There is so much to see and do in the Peak District and Staffordshire Moorlands that you'll want to come back for more!  Click on the Local Area button for an overview or the other buttons on the left hand side for more specific activities.

 

Whether you want to relax, shop, take in some culture, see a play or band, get active in the outdoors, enjoy a day out with the children or find something to do on a rainy day, we have lots of ideas for all ages. 

 

Please browse the menu on the left for some suggested available activities.  Or give us a call and we will be happy to you with your planning!

 

The Year Round Calendar gives just a flavour of things to do and see in different months. And for wildlife fans we have written about our Peak District Wildlife Year.

 

The Peak District - a quick tour!

The Peak District National Park encompasses areas of Staffordshire to the south, Derbyshire, reaching into Yorkshire at its northern boundary and with slices of Cheshire to the west. Being centrally located in the middle of England (trains reach Stoke on Trent in c 1 hour 35 minutes from London and to Derby in c 1 hour 48 minutes) it is the perfect venue for a short breaks as well as longer holidays.

Dovedale (photo:Visit Peak Diistrict & Derbyshire)

 

Whether you are looking for adventure, culture or nature; the Peak District has it all!

 

 

There are the great houses of Chatsworth (one of the finest in England), Haddon Hall (recently featured in the films The Other Boleyn Girl and Pride and Prejudice), Kedleston Hall (great for seeing ‘life below stairs’), Sudbury Hall (where the famous Museum of Childhood has had a recent big investment), Calke Abbey (a ‘time-capsule’ mansion), Lyme Park (where Darcy came out of the lake!) and Hardwick Hall (featured in the film Bess of Hardwick).

 

Near Hathersage, Peak District

 

Other man made marvels include Pugin’s St Giles Church at Cheadle, Arbour Low (the Stonehenge of the North), the Plague Village of Eyam and Derwent Mills - a World Heritage Site.

 

Chesterfield Cathedral's famous crooked spire (photo: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

 

For pretty towns and interesting shopping you shouldn’t miss Buxton (with its free flowing spa water - bring an empty bottle or two!), Ashbourne, Leek (for its antique shops) and Bakewell (for its puddings!). And don’t forget that the Potteries are just south of the Peak District, where you can find bargains in the factory shops and also take behind the scenes factory tours at some of the great names such as Wedgwood and Spode.

 

 

For those who want to experience all of nature’s beauty, the Peak District was the UK’s very first National Park - a recognition of it’s stunning scenery. Climb (or watch others climb) The Roaches; or walk through Dovedale, the Hope, Manifold and Edale valleys (Edale is the start of the Pennine Way). There are also great canal walks. For cyclists there are many cycle trails such as Tissington Trail, Manifold Valley and High Peak Trail.

 

Near Litton, Peak District (Photo:Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

 

To get up close to some of our wildlife, why not visit Blackbrook Zoological Park or Trentham Monkey Forest?

For those seeking adventure, this area does not disappoint - it is not known for being an outdoor gym for nothing!

 

The Roaches (photo: Visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

 

Alton Towers is the UK’s largest theme park and Waterworld it’s largest aqua theme park. Other exciting ideas include visiting the caverns and caves at Blue John, Speedwell and Buxton; learn to hang glide, visit an ‘extreme’ Quad Bike Centre at Wild Park, take climbing lessons at Upper Limits, try the Go Ape High wire course or ride the cable cars at Heights of Abraham in Matlock.

 

If you wish to experience the wonderful flavours of the Peak District there are good local restaurants as well as farm shops and farmers markets. Meet the bees at Daisybank Apiaries before buying their wonderful honey. Collect free mineral water from St Anne’s Well in Buxton, visit Hartington, home of Hartington Blue cheese (and one of the biggest Stilton cheese producers in the world), or call Peak District Fine Foods for a locally produced hamper delivered to your holiday home.

 

 

Finally, for those with children, there are plenty of other things to keep them amused. Not forgetting Alton Towers and Waterworld, there are plenty of smaller attractions. Travel the steam trains at the Churnet Valley, Rudyard or Foxfield Steam railways, go on a boat trip at Froghall Wharf, hire bikes at Brown End Farm, Waterhouses (with a discount for Party House guests!)or see the birds at Kinglsey Bird and Falconry Centre.

 

Shardlow Canal (photo:visit Peak District & Derbyshire)

 

The Peak District really does have something for everyone.